Qualified

QUALIFIED

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14 (NKJV)

“Qualified” is a welcomed word for anyone who strives to reach a definite goal in any area of life (athletics; employment; academics, etc.). How infinitely more thrilling to be declared “qualified” for an eternal home in heaven!

I. QUALIFIED FOR WHAT? “The inheritance of the saints in light”

1. Present Realization of Our Inheritance:

Christians miss a great blessing when they do not realize that there is much that is associated with our eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus that can be experienced in this life. To live in the victory that we are NOW the children of God will enable us to rejoice even in the face of adversity and sorrow. Praise be to God for so great salvation! Consider:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:1-2 (NKJV)

Paul, likewise, bears witness to this glorious truth. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV)

2. Future Realization of Our Inheritance:

The greatest joys of earth…and thank God there are many…but none so glorious as when we see Him face to face! Just think of it …in His presence… and in His likeness… for eternity! Consider:

"But as it is written,’ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9.

II. THE BASIS OF THIS QUALIFICATION

1. Not on the Basis of Any Inherent Goodness of Our Own.

"The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside. They have all become corrupt; there is none who does good, No, not one." Psalm 14:2-3

2. Not Through Any Effort of Our Own

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

3. Not On the Basis of Any Earthly Status We Might Attain

"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7b.

4. Qualified Only on the Basis of Our Redemptive Experience in Christ Jesus

Whether writing to the church in Ephesus or to the young pastor Titus, Paul makes it abundantly clear that our redemption is in no way our own doing but solely a gift of His amazing grace and wondrous love. Consider:

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7.

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV)

III. THE VICTORY THIS QUALIFICATION GIVES US

1. Delivered from the Power of Darkness

We find this great deliverance clearly set forth by our Lord Jesus in His charge to Paul on the road to Damascus. Consider:

’I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17-18 (NKJV)

2. Transferred into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV)